Friday, May 21, 2010

32 States Have Borrowed from the Federal Government to Make Unemployment Payments; California Has Borrowed $7 Billion

EconomicPolicyJournal.com has learned that 32 states have run out funds to make unemployment benefit payments and that the federal government has been supplying these states with funds so that they can make their payments to the unemployed. In some cases, states have borrowed billions. As of May 20, the total balance outstanding by 32 states (and the Virgin Islands) is $37.8 billion.

The state of California has borrowed $6.9 billion. Michigan has borrowed $3.9 billion, Illinois $2.2 billion.

Below is the full list of the 32 states (and the Virgin Islands) that have borrowed from the federal government to make unemployment payments, and the amounts that remain borrowed as of May 20 . (Numbers in red are billions)

248 comments:

The American flag is the symbol of a self-governing People who belong to the greatest nation the world has ever known. It is flown upside down Only during times of dire distress. We are in those times today !

I think in some cases this benefit is being abused. People are opting for the unemployment rather than accepting a job that is slightly below the one they lost. Sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward.

The ironic thing is, my unemployment ran out last Friday. Since I came home from Iraq working as a contractor, I have had many interviews but no firm offers. No one really wants to hire you too cheaply because they know you will bolt as soon as you can obtain a better offer.... So now I just propose free lance projects instead...It's going to get worse before it gets better.

Congress authorized the money the countless times they've extended the unemployment benefits.

This is old news.

And how is it "abused" by people taking unemployment benefits over jobs that will provide less income? Would you fault homeowners for strategically defaulting on a house they were given the impression was only going to go up up up in value? Or should they just continue to pay extortionate rates to the Banksters? Is this the taking "a step back to go forward" that you're talking about?

Instead of directing your anger at the poor maybe you should direct it at the capitalist patriarchy that has set up this Rigged Game.

Not that it matters, but where is the source for all this information?

The reasons there isn't rioting in the streets all across the US now is because of the unemployment bennies. When enough people are out of work and have no money or a house or food in they're belly, look out.

The American taxpayers should not have to pay for the fallout of failed 'progressive-socialist' policies in those states. That is why people LEAVE those states. This makes the effort of moving AWAY from those states of no effect - you just get the shaft from further away. If a state refuses to change its 'progressive-socialist' actions, there SHOULD be consequences. Otherwise, why should they change?

Over 20 years, my business grew from back-bedroom to multinational. I will never forget that first year when I couldn't pay myself a salary or afford health insurance but I had to pay mandatory state and federal unemployment taxes so that people who didn't work could get paid.

Now are you starting to understand what the war between the states was all about??? Not slavery..okIt was about differenet views between the states and the role of the federal govenment and favoitism for some states over others.

The end of the world as we know it.Anyone who didn't see this coming is really a fool. Obama made it clear his agenda was for the US to no longer be a superpower.When he is done we will be a third world shithole and people will be emmigrating to Mexico instead of out of it.Thanks American Democrats. Hope you all rot in hell.

What can we do? We can vote. November 2010, we start taking our country back. And to Anonymous complaining about paying "extortionist" rates to banks, Please, get your facts right or shut the hell up. You sign the contract, you honor the contract. No one guarantees the value of your home will go up, but neither do the banks ask you for more money if the value does go up, why should you be able to ask them to reduce your mortgage if it goes down?

Capitalists balance their budgets and pay people for work performed. Socialists disperse goodies to the masses because it feels good, damn the consequences. I can't wait until the rioting in the streets. Thank God for the 2nd amendment.

In April of 1921, the victorious European Allies of World War One, notably France and England, presented a bill to Germany demanding payment for damages caused in the war which Germany had started. This bill (33 billion dollars) for war reparations had the immediate effect of causing ruinous inflation in Germany.

The German currency, the mark, slipped drastically in value. It had been four marks to the US dollar until the war reparations were announced. Then it became 75 to the dollar and in 1922 sank to 400 to the dollar. The German government asked for a postponement of payments. The French refused. The Germans defied them by defaulting on their payments. In response to this, in January of 1923, the French Army occupied the industrial part of Germany known as the Ruhr.

The German mark fell to 18,000 to the dollar. By July, 1923, it sank to 160,000. By August, 1,000,000. And by November, 1923, it took 4,000,000,000 marks to buy a dollar.

Germans lost their life savings. Salaries were paid in worthless money. Groceries cost billions. Hunger riots broke out

The balance of power between the states and federal government has been lost for good the minute states couldn't balance their budgets and had to grovel to Congress for money. This Republic is being destroyed but Obama will insist he can fix it with higher taxes and illegal labor. What a clown! Those of you who voted for him, you have NO right to complain when your taxes go up!!

Its amazing to me how much racism is still prevelent, here on this page through your responses, and appears to be getting worse and america finds itself a way out of this mess. There will come a time where our govt. will need to tie drug testing to unemployment benefits and stop financially supporting illegals. Just come here legally and pay into the system the same way as everyone else. Most of the people i know who get food stamps and unemployment are feeding off the system. I have two babies. I am really frightened for them.

Vote buying is disguise (thinly veiled). Keep paying unemployment benefits for years and keep people dependent on the fed. Why work, just get a check. Why work, just quit and get Obama Care like Nancy said.

Iam 56. I have paid into SS since I was 18. That's alot of money! Taxes, SS, State Taxes, Etc Every year since I was 18! Since I was 18 I have collected unemployment only 5 times! So when I see illigals coming over here getting free healthcare, paying no taxes, and getting welfare for their 13 kids I say hell yeah I'll take Obamas unemployment benefits for 18 months. I friggin EARNED. Did YOU?

Amen to that...the Democraps are the old style Communists that we fought against in the latter part of the 20th century. they've just changed their name and come back as "enviromentalists", "progressives", and "community organizers"...sound familiar? USA is in deep shit!

the truth of the matter as stated earlier, is that we all are to blame for this mess. who we elect, the percentage of people on unemployment that are ther after losing a min wage job, and the armerican spendin habit of living life to its credit limit. i have been unemployed for a year. = am college educated, never been fired, and am a leader in my field but cannot find a job even at a much lower pay rate. 643 job applications and resumes and counting.....still not even an interview......my american dream has become an american nightmare.

All around us are signs and workings of this Nation's demise...However, we are not dead yet. November is our chance to start to put things back in order. VOTE and drag family and friends if needed to vote as well. Like it or not, Republicans are the only antidote.

I live in Canada and we Canadians are as broke as you Americans. The politicians pay themselves handsome salaries and have generous expense accounts and taxpayers pay the price. I live in the province of Quebec and we pay the highest taxes in North America! But the world is in deep debt (except for China) and we all will soon see our standard of living dropping like a stone. We finally spent too much and worked too little and will pay the price. In ten years time, most North Americans will be poor and live dreary lives. We have politicians who care only for themselves and getting re-elected. I read that retired policemen and other civil servants in New York receive pensions ranging well over $100,000. Unbelievable!

Of all those comments I can't find a realistic solution in any of them. Returning the illegals will only make our cost of goods rise which would most likely cost more than the "welfare" they illegals)are receiving.

Republicans and Democrats are all the same. In fairness to the current administration they didn't make the mess they're only trying to deal with the fallout they inherited.

California would suck the life out of Dracula!I live here....it needs a stake driven through its heart to put it out of its misery.....You people across the Nation just watch what is going to happen...

Obama is not as smart as people think. He's just a con man who can read a telepromtor like most news people. With one difference, he dosen't look at the millions of people watching rather he moves his narcistic head left to right. He should get whiplash anytime now. He has locked down his school grades and thesis papers. He is not a professor he was a lecturer. The truth about FDR is that all that spending he did in the 30s did not lower the unemployment rate. This was validated when his own secretary of treasury in 1939 said all that money did nothing about unemploment. What was true then is true now. A little known fact that is not taught is that days after FDR died the presidency was limited to two terms. There was a real fear he could have become a dictator. Obozo,the marxist community organizer can't see the obvious about all this spending? This country is in real trouble if he is not impeached or rendered powerless by a republican senate and house.

Do things in the right order. Absolutely lock down the border and I mean airtight. Then the illegals trapped in this country undergo background checks to separate the criminal ones to be deported. Then offer the lawful ones to either serve in the armed forces and/or learn english(reading & writing) as a requirement to apply for citizenship.

California "borrowed" 6.9 Billion dollars.We have a better chance of getting hit by Haleys Comet than ever getting that money back.I can't wait til Arizona shuts their lights off and gives the LA City Council a big time out to re-think their stupid boycott.

Hellooo, paging Californica. Can you explain to me how you're going to boycott Arizona again you stupid whores? You're broke, have no means to produce your own water or electricity, are paying all the deadbeats and illegals on borrowed money and you have the nads to throw spitwads at Arizona? Oh and Ah-nold is an idiot RINO and you deserve him.

the only reason all of this is happening is because we all participate in the lie that is fiat currency. when people realize there is no real money just debt instruments traded as money there will be a rush into something real. that means gold, silver and to a lesser extent other commodities. if you aren't slowly accumulating these now you will be sorry.

we are in a very crowded auditorium with only a few exits. move slowly towards the doors. seriously.

O,, O,, O,, Ice cold milk and an oreo president. Communism and socaliasim a classic combination, when a dark, socialious president meets an icy, cold population. Like the ONE and Only, Commie, Narci, Choc-O-late, O-R-E-O!

Unemployment was 4.7% in January 2007 when democrats said they could do better and took over congress. The 1st thing they did was raise the minimum wage with an escalating increase scale that has paralleled the unemployment numbers.

The minimum wage increase the the catalyst for 8% of this unemployment.

What do you expect? We live in the United States of Entertainment. We tear down factories and build malls, movie theaters, and stadiums. Look around and maybe in the mirror. Take pride in the country your ancestors built! GET TO WORK!!!

To the person that asked for a solution. Here is at least a possible, workable answer.

We can possibly avoid much of the pain and suffering of the unwinding of this country through relocalization and seeking sustainability in our lives on a personal and local level. Such actions not only harm no one, but offer rich prospects for indirect resistance. Everything from getting our money out of the big banks, to becoming more locally self-reliant for our food and other necessities - basically trying to become as off-grid as possible, literally and figuratively. Consume less and get used to living with less, because like it or not, the day is coming when we will all be forced to live with less.

So, my advice would be to build local networks of like-minded citizens that are interested in living under the constitution. Working together, being truthful and compassionate with one another, we can reform our local communities into bastions of freedom - becoming shining lights - free of the never satisfied hunger of our massive kleptocratic government. Our government has become a corporate whore, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of massive corporations, banks - and especially the central bank.

Set the example of truth in your personal life and demand truth from our leaders. The main problem we have throughout this country is an almost complete vacuum of real, true, HONEST leadership. It all starts at the top folks, and we must insist on nothing but truth and reality.

Relocalize, network, consume less, learn a new skill, get out of debt (getting out of debt is direct resistance to the debt-money system that is destroying us), be truthful with yourself and your community and demand the same from your leadership. In short, be a fully actualized adult with a solid understanding of good government and the importance of your place in the community. Hope that helps.

The madness will stop. Let them say what they will. Talk to people who are normally NOT paying attention. Don't waste time with those who have bought in to the Marxist crap. They feel the world owes them and they shouldn't ever have to earn a living. Continue to work hard and be a good American. November is coming. Vote all the progressives out, Democrat or Republicans. Get all your friends registered to vote and show them the men behind the curtain. There are enough good people left, my friends. Don't give in, that's what they want. We will be fine. God bless America for we will rise to the occasion and this will set the Marxist back decades.

THIS BORROWING WITHOUT ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST STATES BUDGETS IS INSANE. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS DELIBERATELY LENGTHENING THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IN ORDER TO FORCE STATES INTO BANKRUPTCY. WE WILL GIVE OUR WAY OF LIFE OVER TO A NEW WORLD ORDER. GOD HELP US ALL AND COME QUICKLY LORD.

I live in California. I wish the Feds had not given CA any money. CA will never give it back or probably even pay back even a bit of it. This loan just lets the Pelosi type of Dems continue their spending ways with no consequences.

Mountain Song saidWhoever "Anonymous" is has to be the most ignorant commenter I've ever read on ANY political/economic blogsite.

All of us who posted under "Anonymous" are just "undocumented bloggers" and we have rights too. You are just one of those racist bloggers denying us our social blogger justice and human rights. YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A BLOGGER BIGOT MOUNTAIN SONG!!

The easiest way to get the economy moving and I mean MOVING is for Freddie and Fanny to forgive all mortgage holders and give them their houses! This will release a zillion dollars into the economy!Then there is no longer a need for 200 thousand federal workers to keep track of the money they print.Boy would this be a blast!

I really think President Obama needs to step in and do something to stop Mountain Song. I don’t know if he can legally kick Mountain Song off this blog, but he should try. People are outraged at his comments regarding "undocumented blogers". There have been protesters outside of this blog, since his comments were made. This is not the first time that Mountain Song has been overly racist when it comes to blogging. Mountain Song was one of the last bloggers to accept "Anonymous" on this website and would not have done so unless drastic economic boycotts were imparted by other blogs. Some blogs are already refusing to allow Mountain Song on their site, and groups are already beginning to boycott all Mountain Song comments.

I'm an Engineer.Before layoff on Jan 1 2010, I was at 96K/year. I put $79K in the "salary desired" space on the form, in order to get interviews. I sign an authorization for a background & credit check. They'll see my salary history. Game over. If I protest "I'll work for less!!" The standard response is "When the economy turns around, you'll just leave for more money" And if you go into how intangibles count (interesting work, opportunities for advancement, short commute) they refuse to believe you.

If you pay people not to work there will be more people not working. Taking money (taxes) from hard working people and giving it to non productive people (welfare) is not wise. I have never met a person who looked for a job until the unemployment checks either ran out or were about to run out. Unemployment for two years+ is crazy!!!

Only a Democrat would not understand you can't have 40 million on food stamps. You can not have 47% not paying income taxes as the rest are getting raped. Only a moron would not know spending to solve a spending problem is just stupid. If you can't run a business and decide to be a politician, then just sit back and pray someone much smarter than you will work to support your lazy rear. Time to chop pay, benefits, and perks for all that even think of not abiding by the Constitution to the letter of the law. Time to get rid of the slime in Washington once and for all. Vote them all out in November and make sure the replacements support the Tea Party movement. The other Party is over!

Notice how the BILLIONS are mostly RED States?Think it's a coincidence?For those that think it is, please contact My real estate office at www.alllibtardsareidiots.com.I have some OTHER good news for ya!

To whom are you referring when you say "...the Fed"? The last time I checked, the US Treasury is flat broke and can't lend a plug nickel to any state. Surely you don't mean the Federal Reserve. If so, you need to correct your headline. Of course we all know they aren't the federal gov't.

America is a nation of about 312 million people. Out of this ammount, only around 100 or so million actually work and pay taxes. Now, instead of bailing out the big banks with all those trillions of dollars, wouldn't it have been much simpler to make millionaires out of those 100 million tax-paying workers? Afterall, it was the housing crash that was suppose to be the catalyst that crashed america's economy.

Let's see, 100 million opposed to the trillions spent? Hmm? This would have left plenty of room for the toxic "obamacare", but the real reason that the tarp bailouts were done were to protect the retirements of all the politicians and other federal workers because AIG is the facility that holds all the accounts for the feds! Also, the global gov't that's coming is another reason for the crashing of the american economy too! Hello new world order!

How can that international dipshi t in the white house even come close to speaking about economic recovery when both the states and the Fed are up to their respective ass es in red ink!!! This administration has done nothing after almost two years, now we see the stock market correcting again as we find ourselves going through another "rough patch" who are these jack asses trying to fool? If this is the best they can do...time to get the hell out and let someone else give it a shot, someone whos actually worked a real job before they became a politician

Worried about money? Its only paper, print more! What no one is realizing is that the USA has been foreclosed on already, silently and without announcement. The Dems gave our country to the world bank, and first you'll see Mexico and the US merge, then a 'global tax', a 'global president', forced microchip implants, millions of people imprisoned underground, the beheading of Christians, etc. The US dollar is the least of your worries!

California leads the list, we are bankrupt. Every level of Government has it's hand out for extra money, from parcel taxes for schools, to incessant fund raising, to increase in "fees" for everything, to record income tax increases that didnt make a dent, to large sales tax increases that didnt make a dent, to constant attacks on Prop 13. Meanwhile sanctuary city dolts like Mayors Villaraigosa and Newsom dole out the cash like there is no tomorrow.

Note: Ca has been out of compliance with work to welfare for years, as benefits are amongst the highest in the nation and are paid for unlimited time periods.

Federal Tax Funds Act!!!States need to pass this act immediately. It diverts all tax revenue to the state dept of revenue, which then assays the Constitutionally due amount and remits it to the IRS.Then states can use the other funds to take care of education, transportation, health & welfare, etc. Any funds left over could be used to fund projects within the state or refunded to taxpayers in the state. Cut off Leviathan's blood flow: it's money.

How did this happen? A view from Europe: You are in a war since several years (Afghanistan, Irak). A lot of your money is going there. A lot of your products are coming from china or elsewhere. Money for this leaves your country. You have a monstrous fincancial sector thats all. Sorry guys but your government killed your economy by not watching wall street.

This is great. This will put paid to Obummer and the lefty liberals. When it all goes bankrupt, they cannot pay the cops , firemen, national guard. At that point, put your gun on and we take our country back over.We can help though;Apply for welfare and sue them if you do not get it so it cost them money.Sue every public body for everything. Cost Them!

What can you expect when the aunt of the President not only comes and lives here illegally, but lives in government housing, receives food stamps, government checks , gets help with her utilities, and HE and his wife has millions with sales of his books and he does nothing to help her. Now she is a citizen she can get all this help legally. I think she and her nephew should have to pay back to the citizens of America the government funds she took for 7+ years.

**Face it people, Capitalism lost the election and Communism won. The people spoke and we are ready for change. No longer will the rich people with 50k salaries look down upon the rest. We will all be equal soon and you'll have to live with that. Your system broke the country and now Communism will save it.

This poster is spot on..."The reasons there isn't rioting in the streets all across the US now is because of the unemployment bennies. When enough people are out of work and have no money or a house or food in they're belly, look out."

"Sucking government tit leads to havoc."

And this is exactly what the "Government" wants. As long as people are dependant on the government for their sustenance- they are easier to control and more compliant. Plus, they have to make sure tthe people have enough to pay for cable and electricity to keep their t.v.`s running. When people stop watching their lying propaganda machines and actually wake up to whats really going on- the government will then lose control.

"And where is the Federal Government getting the money it is giving the states?"

Uhm, it`s borrowing it from the Federal Reserve (ie foreign banksters) who are printing it out of thin air. But it too will expect to be paid back with interest. This is how they bring down countries, pumpkin. They`ve been doing it for centuries or probably millenia.

Communism won`t "save" anything. Communism spawns scarcity. True free market capitalism is the way a country and its people becomes prosperous. It create an abundance of stuff from which to chose. But our system is anything but. The merging of State and corporate powers is called fascism and that`s what we in the U.S have been living under for quite some time.

Entitlement mentality. Our minority brothers want the same lifestyle as the hard working. Our so-called urban poor have a better lifestyle on the backs of productive Americans than productive people in Asia. Impossible to sustain.

If you are unemployed. To collect for one (1)week of pay you must work for (1) week (40) hours prior to recieving your weekly payment. Where? at either of your local, state, or National Governement. What are your duties? Whatever needs to be done locally to improve the quality of life and happiness for all.

50 years of politicians buying votes with borrowed money finally coming home to roost! A generation that purposely indebts their children with an impossible burden deserves to be cursed by their children.

My sister-in-law is from Belarus and knows Communism. Communism leads to owning nothing. Her family owns nothing, they have no goals or future due to government owns everything. They rent land from government to grow food to last them through the harsh winters. Her Dad has Parkinson's disease and gets only the care government allows, which is poor. So you better think twice before asking for Communism.

This is about a power shift from the states to the feds - plain and simple. Once the states become dependent on the feds totally, then the value added tax will be implemented and the U.S. ceases to exist as we know it forever.States will be bought off by the Feds and pitted against each other until they capitulate. There is no Ronald Reagan around this time to pull us out of this mess - perhaps Governor Christie comes closest.

40 million people in the US on food stamps how many are citizens?? Also if you can qualify for food stamps it means you don't make enough (if any) money to pay taxes. That's 40 million ought of 300 million population.Then the question is how many people left over in the 240 million work and pay taxes? Not many I bet..the old story about 20% of the people pay 80% of the taxes propbably should be changed to 20% of the people pay 90% of the taxes now days so that says that 90%of the people don't pay taxes..so its no wonder we are $15 trillion in debt

I'm really offended that my hard-earned dollars are being forcibly taken from me and given to others so that they can live in more comfort than I can. I enjoy giving to charity, but, when force is involved, it only differs from robbery in that the government claims the right to take your life's energy, as represented by the money you earn, simply because it is more powerful than you. This only differs from outright slavery in that the government doesn't tell you what you must do. (Yet.)

And when California and the others all default on these loans, the U.S. taxpayers are left holding the bag. The Obama Administration needs to explain to the taxpayers how it justifies lending billions to States, who like Greece have been fiscally irresponsible for decades and are on the verge of financial collapse, when the Federal Government itself is up to its eyeballs in debt and forced to borrow from the Chinese to cover the costs of running government. If California needs $7 billion, tell it to pick up the phone and call the Chinese. CUT OFF California and the rest of them and make THEM accept responsibility for their own financial excesses - just like the average American has to do. Enough is enough, we need to stop this madness!

This is nothing compared to what the Fed is doing to us. Free money for big banks on the backs of savers. Its really a bad situation all around with no easy fix.....I feel bad for those ho have lost jobs. I myself prepared for this when the construction business evaporated in Florida and am living on savings and investments....I feel lucky. We will get out of this, but I dont think it will be with this administration's help, or lack there of.

No, I am afraid we will not get out of this, this time around without a meltdown. China is schooling us and we are left dividing up a shrinking pie. What makes matters worse is the young making conscious decisions to further this economic demise with the pro socialist/ anti-capitals views and votes.We have not had the free market reign for decades. This whole mess has been caused by the entitlement programs set up decades ago. The attitudes that have developed since these programs have come into being have been unAmerican at best. Since when can capital be stolen from one to be given to another? How long can this endure?

What a fascinating plot? Kind of like the current Tv Series programs. And it makes you wonder if whoever is doing the programming has an ending in mind or is just making it up as he goes along. Too bad we cant find out who he is and ask him. So all we can do in this situation is use historical references, like Will Durant, as to what is likely to happen and pray for the optimistic results, and vote accordingly.

I would like to point out something to that poster from Utah. You are in just as deep as someone from California. Your state represents what population % of the U.S.? Your share of the total debt is the same as someone from the socialist state of California. Where do you think the money being lent to that state is coming from? How long before your state starts to think why shouldn't it run up deficits too since you are being penalized for being prudent?This is the problem with a centralized system where the Feds control the purse strings.

That is what you can come to expect when you have a Democratic Congress & President controlling the purse strings of the national treasury. They cannot wait to spend YOUR money extending unemployment benefits which have already been extended 99 weeks!! They have effectively taken away the incentive for people to look for work..Really a sad commentary...

If someone will give you food each day, why would you make any or grow any?

We have 235 a week in EBT cards, I get $556 unemployment and we also get section 8 housing, our rent is $900 and we have to get 20% of that. So our rent is $180. I live in Carol City Fl (miami) and probably half the people I know don't work and why should we?

All we have to do is register to vote and vote the right way and we'll always betaken care of.

I have a Jr College degree in communications and can't get a job, but even if I did why would I?, I can just hang out at the rec center and go to the club every few nights and most of what I do is paid for.

If I'm a semi educated "minority brother" and think this way, what do you think my less educated friends and neighbors think?

Your only chance is to vote the people out, but you haven't done it in decades and we know that you won't.

It's also not just us "minority brothers", there are plenty of white people that do the exact same thing, especially in rural areas. They also vote too.

Keep on letting those illegal aliens coming in Mr. President.Add more burden to social services, more jobs lost. 1,000 illegal aliens a day are making it accross the Arizona border every day. Coming to a city near you.

PEOPLE WANTED CHANGE -- WELL THEY GOT IT. THEY TELL US IT WAS A HISTORICAL MOMENT THAT WE VOTED FOR A BLACK INDIVIDUAL TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE USA. YEA, IT WAS A HISTORICAL VOTED TO FOR A SOCAILIST, WHO USED THE TERM PRE-FETUS IN OTHER WORDS LET THE BABY DIE WHO SURVIVED AN ABORTION DO NOT GIVE THE BABY ANY MEDICAL HELP LET IT DIE IN OTHER WORDS BE A MURDERER, A KILLER!!! HOPE PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING THEIR CHANGE.

A big thank you goes out to Wall Street and all of the Big Banks and Big Insurance Companies, that have truly gotten us into this mess. Lies, coverups, financial smokescreens, and home loan brainwashing. CAPITALISM at its best. Come on people! They are doing exactly what they want us to do. Tear each other apart. Left vs. Right. If you are mad about the bank bailouts and spending your tax dollar money on bailouts, and health care. Look at the root cause of these issues. Home loan lies, sky rocketing healthcare costs, and fake money. BIG BANKS, BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES, BIG WALL STREET! Now go after ALL POLITICIANS that continue to allow this to happen and are beholden to "BAD CAPITALIST" and vote them out! REPUBLICAN or DEMOCRAT. Now go take a look at who is supporting reform, smart capitalism, personal responsibility, and standing up for the small people, the REAL AMERICANS, and the CONSTITUTION.

I suggest that Arizona should advise that they will not cut their power, water or housing of their criminals, however all services provide by Arizona to California will be paid in ADVANCE ON A CASH BASIS ONLY no IOU'S.

The civilized world has at times been WAY more bankrupt than it is today. Yet it has gone on and prospered. Why? It is a typical cycle.. whereby things are so great for so long that nobody notices or cares that dumb people have taken over. They (losers) will run it into the ground as they always do and then... smart people will take notice and band together to fix everything again. We are in that period where stupidity rules and we are about to fall down. But after that saner heads will prevail. Not to worry...

This is simply welfare to placate the masses while socialism is instituted. Many people collecting unemployment are sounding too much like welfare junkies...they can make more just staying at home and collecting from the government.

obama will be another war president soon - right now huge arms build up in middle east by all players - us, isreal, syria, lebanon, iran, palestine, russia, turkey, etc. price of oil and gold will go to moon - prepare

The "civilized" world may have at times been more bankrupt. People have been more brutalized etc...This is why the U.S. constitution was drafted by the founding fathers. Things should not be as they are today. Forget what happened under the Roman Empire. The U.S. has prevailed, and it has because of this wonderful constitution. The U.S. was the last beacon of hope for this "civilized" world. Freedoms are being eroded and citizens are now wards of the state - or are being taught to becomes wards of the state. This is not reversible without major pain and hardship.

Boys and Girls, we're beating the milk cow to death with our empty buckets. Folks are coming in here by the thousands to get those jobs that that the Americans won't work. The lazy Americans sit on their butts and take money from the rest of the folks that do work and pay their taxes. All you lazy folks better get off your butts and get to work before Jose is running the company. People that won't work don't deserve a country like this, so I hope Jose takes your job and buys the houses that walked away from. Pitiful. Go get it Jose.

Everyone here is complaining about the government. However the government is made up of individuloas who are known. The Federal reserve is made of known individuals. The big bonus bangsters are known individuals. The solution is to get rid of these people and their families, through legal means, of course. In other societies brutal means would be tolerated but we are a civilized society and murder, torture and the like are neither achievable or desirable. But the problem is caused by human beings and not amorphous concepts such as government, races and relious affiliatioons. Suitable means of eliminating these people from influencing society ave either available or aquirable.

Once the "Retrofit Industry" takes off, unemployment will PLUMMET. This new industry is a BIG DEAL...the bill just made its way through the House and is now in the Senate. The "Retrofit Industry" could create MILLIONS of retrofit jobs over the next twenty years and has the potential to be as big as the I.T. boom of the '90's. The future is brighter than some would like us to think...

Retrofit industry? Isn't that energy? Like big electric wants to give over to big wind farm or solar? Why are decent solar cells so expensive??? Here's an idea: Instead of putting wind farms on Nantucket Sound or other beautiful unspoiled areas, why not put them in with high tension wires (towers)? Right on top of each tower!! The land was already disfigured and its out of site mostly.

The problems our country is experiencing didn't happen overnight and didn't happen on accident. Lets reduce government to what it should be - very little. The president, whoever it is, can do things like visit schools and lead recital of the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America...

Dude, do you even know what you're talking about? The Retrofit Bill has absolutely nothing to do with wind farms or solar cells. You should read about it before commenting (you looked kind of stupid with that post:)

I, too, have been following the upcoming Retrofit Boom with interest -- could be interesting, from an investment perspective.

Its been said the 'people get the govt they deserve' unfortunately a lot of intelligent, hard working people are stuck with it too. As Margaret Thatcher said, 'The problem with socialism is you run out of other peoples money'.

Find conservative (i.e they adhere to the Constitution, limited gov't etc.) candidates and support their campaigns---even if they're in a different state. This is a national problem and needs a national solution.

On June 8th Californians have a chance and maybe the last chance to halt the madness in Sacramento. We need to replace the career politicians with people like KC Dickson who is running for State Senate. If we can find more people like him, men and women who have the voters best interest at heart, we may be able to turn this around. http://www.kcdickson2010.com is Ken's website. Check it out and research your candidates NOW and start supporting them. God help us all...Peace through Strength